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여기를 클릭 하시면 크롬 등 브라우저에서 제공하는 한국어 번역을 이용하실 수 있습니다. A Glimmer of HopeBy Seok-hong Kim, Member of the Executive Committee of ASSITEJ International |
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From the end of last year until now, Koreans have been experiencing unusual political turmoil. This stems from the right-wing President staging what can only be described as a self-coup by declaring emergency martial law without legitimate justification. When fully armed special-forces surrounded the parliament, countless civilians rushed to the National Assembly, courageously confronting the heavily armed soldiers with nothing but their bare hands. The entire ordeal was livestreamed nationwide, leaving the country in shock. I, too, was left speechless, and my young child trembled with fear at what we witnessed. Fortunately, through the combined efforts of the Members of Parliament (MPs) and the people, the martial law was lifted. However, the incident ignited widespread anger, leading to mass protests demanding the President's impeachment. The MPs eventually passed the impeachment bill, and we now await the Constitutional Court's decision. While prosecutors have attempted to indict the President for treason, fierce battles between opposing sides continue, leaving many feeling that the nation is in the grip of a constitutional crisis. I had believed that democracy in my country was strong and stable, but this situation has shown me how fragile it can be. Throughout this crisis, people have become disillusioned by the selfish and reckless behaviour of many political leaders. Personally, I've been deeply troubled by the growing influence of far-right voices that seem to be gaining traction amidst the chaos. This crisis has forced both me and my child to confront difficult questions. She asks why so many political and social leaders prioritise personal gain over democratic values, and why our democracy seems so vulnerable. As a parent, I struggle to explain such an absurd and disheartening situation to the younger generation. Yet, amidst this turbulence, I find myself filled with both regret and hope. While I feel profound sorrow that the younger generation must witness such instability, I am deeply moved by the response of Millennials and Gen Z, particularly young women, who have been at the forefront of the impeachment demonstrations. They have transformed the nature of protest itself, replacing traditional candlelight vigils with cheerful light sticks from pop concerts. Even in the harsh winter weather, they continue their steadfast vigil, offering a glimmer of hope in what otherwise feels like a gloomy New Year. As a practitioner of Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA), I believe we have a responsibility to respond
to this moment. We must actively engage with young people's questions and reflect their passionate
commitment to democracy in our work. Through theatre, we can help process these challenging times
and strengthen our collective hope for both democracy and the arts. Lire en français> Leer en español> |
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| News from ASSITEJ International |
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 | | | | EU Grants Funding for ASSITEJ Project 'Creating Cultural Equity' | | | We are thrilled to announce that the European Union Networks of Cultural and Creative Organisations funding for the ASSSITEJ International project 'Creating Cultural Equity', has been granted! This means we have funding from 2025 - 2028 to continue and expand the impact we have in our aim to promote and defend the cultural rights of children and young people everywhere, to support members in their capacity to advocate and connect and to gain recognition and visibility for the work we are all passionate about. 'Creating Cultural Equity' is about removing barriers to equitable participation for artists and audiences in theatre and performing arts for and with children and young people. The project focuses on members and across all the work we do, the principles of access, inclusion, sustainability and participation underpin the activities. We look forward to working with you to address the challenges, find the innovation and connect with those who have not had a voice. -ASSITEJ Executive Committee |
 | | | | Early Bird AAG 2025 Passes Available Until 26 January! | | | Discounted Delegate Passes will be available until January 26th! Register now for the ASSITEJ Artistic Gathering 2025: Bright Generations/Generations Lumineuses. 🌎🌍🌏 Marseille, France 🗓 23 - 29 March 2025 Purchase a Delegate Pass> |
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 | | | | Bursa International Children and Youth Theatre Festival | | | ASSITEJ Türkiye ASSITEJ Türkiye, in partnership with the Bursa Foundation for Culture, Arts, and Tourism, are pleased to invite children’s and youth theatre companies/groups from all countries to participate in the 28th Bursa International Children and Youth Theatre Festival, which will be held from 1–6 April 2025. Let's meet in Bursa this spring! 🌎🌍🌏 Bursa, Türkiye 🗓 1 - 6 April 2025 Deadline: 3 February 2025 View application form> |
 | | | | Open Call SEGNI Festival 2025! | | | ASSITEJ Italy Open call for SEGNI Festival 2025, XX edition! Until 8 February you can still submit applications to lead a PASTA MADRE Masterclass, the space for exchange, confrontation and inspiration of SEGNI Festival. 🌎🌍🌏 Mantua, Italy Deadline: 8 February 2025 More info> |
 | | | | ASSITEJ International Regional Cooperation Programme | | | *For ASSITEJ National Centres* ASSITEJ International is calling for proposals for Regional Cooperation Programmes in the field of performing arts for children and young people. ASSITEJ International intends to support between 1 and 3 Regional Cooperation Programmes created by ASSITEJ National Centres.
🗓 May 2025 - April 2028 Deadline: 15 March 2025 View call>
Leer en español> Lire en français> |
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 | | | | Allianz Foundation Grants Program 2025 | | | Allianz Foundation Allianz Foundation's 2025 funding program is now open for applications. We support initiatives with civil society, ecological, cultural and artistic backgrounds. We place a special emphasis on projects working at the intersection of these areas and pursuing systematic change. If you are interested in funding, please apply now. We particularly welcome submissions from organizations led by women, young people and/or groups affected by marginalization.
We welcome project proposals that use participatory approaches and actively involve their target groups in project development. Deadline: 10 February 2025 More info> |
 | | | | ForesTEEN Academy | | | ForesTEEN The ForesTEEN Academy is back on Giglio Island (IT) from 23 to 27 April 2025. You can apply to take part in the adventure for free or with a European contribution either as TEEN (young people aged 15 to 25) or as artists, professionals from the cultural sector, teachers or parents of teenagers. Participate or spread the opportunity to your network of contacts. People from all over Europe will come!
🌎🌍🌏 Giglio Island, Italy
🗓 23 - 27 April 2025 Deadline: 28 February More Info> Application form>
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 | | | | International Theatrical Photography Competition 2025 | | | Theatre Exposed The “THEATRE EXPOSED” International Theatrical Photography Competition is held annually and is timed to coincide with World Photographer's Day. Professional theatre photographers can take part in the competition. Participation is free. Theme: Theatre as Art Genres: art photo; portrait photo; movement in art; open category (street theatre, immersive theatre, experimental photo)
🗓 1 January - 19 August 2025 Deadline: 1 July 2025 More info> Register here>
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| News from around the world |
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 | | | | March On to A Wonderful Time in Singapore! | | | ASSITEJ Singapore March On is Esplanade’s annual festival for young audiences, a vibrant celebration of the stories and experiences that matter to them. With a sense of playfulness and wonder, the festival also supports artists in crafting meaningful and imaginative works for young audiences. The festival is presented by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, Singapore’s national performing arts centre. 🌎🌍🌏 Singapore 🗓 7 - 29 March 2025 More Info> |
 | | | | YDN Working Groups | | | Young Dance Network We’re thrilled to bring you exciting updates from the Young Dance Network (YDN)! YDN is launching some new and bringing back some existing Working Groups, offering opportunities for collaboration and exploration across various themes. Here’s a snapshot of what’s coming: - Dance in Schools.
- Choreographic and Performing Practices in Dance for Young Audiences.
- Writing about Dance and Choreography for Young Audiences.
- How to Program Dance for Children and Young People.
Each working group offers unique insights and collaborative possibilities—perfect for artists, programmers, educators, and enthusiasts alike. More info & registration> |
 | | | | Artists & Climate Change | | | Sustainability Section Interesting artistic work about climate change is popping up all over the world, in all kinds of venues. It shows up in opera houses and hip hop poetry slams, in established galleries and on-the-fly exhibitions, in off-Broadway houses and regional theatres. The goal of this blog is to track these works and gather them in one place. It is both a study of what is being done, and a resource for anyone interested in the subject. We deeply believe that what artists have to say about climate change will shape our values and behavior for years to come. For that reason alone, we should pay attention. Artists & Climate Change is an initiative of The Arctic Cycle. Learn more about organizations dedicated to exploring the intersection of arts & climate change> |
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 | | | | Invitation For All Previous Next Generation Participants | | | Next Generation Network Next Generation Network is inviting all previous Next Generation participants (alumni) to contribute to the interactive installation “When it Began (Where I started, Where I ended up)”, which will be presented at the Artistic Gathering in Marseille, France, in March 2025. ‘When it Began’ is an installation that captures some of the stories or key moments of previous Next Generation participants, spanning 18 years of the residency programme. Read more> |
 | | | | Online ForesTEEN Meeting | | | ForesTEEN On 21 January 2024 at 18:00, join the ForesTEEN project's monthly digital meeting, discover what happened at the Kitoks Festival in Vilnius from the voices of Lithuanian and Danish teenagers and talk to colleagues and teenagers from all over Europe. 🌎🌍🌏 Online 🗓 21 January 2025 Register here> |
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 | | | | The Power of Aesthetics: Creating Expression and Meaning in Preschool | | | ASSITEJ Sweden Article by Suzanne Osten Last year, we organized professional development sessions for cultural representatives from schools across Sweden. For the final meeting in Stockholm on October 5, we invited Suzanne Osten to join us and discuss topics related to children’s perspectives and viewpoints. How has Suzanne, as an artist, approached these concepts? During this conversation, Suzanne shared an article she had written, which had been published in a Swedish anthology: “Niclas, I think you should have this article translated and make it accessible to an international audience!” Little did we know that this meeting and discussion on October 5 would be the last time we would see Suzanne. Twenty-three days later, Suzanne passed away due to complications following heart surgery. Suzanne’s influence on Swedish and international performing arts is immeasurable. Through her artistry, she reshaped our understanding of what theatre for young audiences can be. With a deep love for her audience, her exceptional artistry, and her fearless courage, she will be remembered for generations to come. Her work continues to inspire and shape the art of performing arts. Therefore, we want to honor Suzanne’s wish to publish this article in English. Read article> |
 | | | | Early Bird Tickets for AUGENBLICK MAL! 2025 in Berlin | | | ASSITEJ Germany Cordial invitation: AUGENBLICK MAL!, the biennial festival of theater for young audiences, will take place in Berlin from May 6-11, 2025. Five outstanding productions each for children and youth will be presented, framed by numerous discourse and discussion formats. Many of the events will be held with English translation. The early bird ticket sale for delegates and professional visitors from abroad begins on February 10, 2025 at 10 a.m. Two weeks later on February 24, 2025 the general sales start. Anyone wishing to take advantage of the Early bird ticket sale must obtain accreditation in advance via the augenblickmal.de website (possible from February 01, 2025). Special festival trails provide inspiration as to which performances can be attended during a 6-day- or weekend-visit. AUGENBLICK MAL! is the biggest festival of TYA in Germany and is hosted by Kinder- und Jugendtheaterzentrum in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. ASSITEJ Germany is its legal entity. We would be delighted to welcome as many international guests as possible to Berlin! Contact: Valerie Eichmann v.eichmann@jungespublikum.de 🌎🌍🌏 Berlin, Germany 🗓 6 - 11 May 2025 More Info> |
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| Article Section | | | | Looking Back: AWC 2024 - Voices of A New World |
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| by Nishna Mehta | | | | In Conversation With: Ginni Manning from Write Local. Play Global | | | It feels wonderful to be co-writing this piece with Ginni Manning, playwright, writer, theatre-maker and facilitator from England representing Write Local. Play Global here in Havana. And we are playing word association! When I say Write, she says celebration. When I say Local, she says energy. When I say Play, she says constant. When I say Global, she says world family. When she says playwriting, I say personal. When she says here, I say Havana. When she says communication, I say emotion. When she says challenge, I say mobility. Now, let’s find out why she’s here. Read the full interview> |
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| | | ASSITEJ International | Via Giacomo Matteotti, 16, 40129 Bologna BO, Italy | | | | | . |
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